Universal Studios backlot burned down-king kong destroyed

[spideyboy_1111]

Video Footage:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7430064.stm

Three-Alarm Fire at Universal City Backlot
Source: KNBC.com, Edward Douglas
June 1, 2008


KNBC is reporting that a fire broke out at Universal Studios' backlot early this morning that brought 200 local firefighters and two helicopters carrying water to the studio's famous backlot to try to quell the fire before it reached the studios' film vaults.

The fire broke out at a soundstage where filming was taking place early in the morning--they're not reporting what film was being shot there but we have a few ideas--and quickly spread to the backlot where the famed New York City streetcape caught on fire. At least one soundstage and several other buildings were believed to be lost to the blaze in 30 minutes but no injuries have been reported so far.

The BBC has some footage of the enormous fire which you can watch here

Since this is breaking news about a fire that broke out just two hours ago, one expects that the fire is still being fought and we hope to have updates as they're reported from the scene.

The fire is an eerie flashback to 18 years ago when a similar fire broke out at Unviersal.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Most of the famed new york lot is gone... luckily the back to the future clock tower is still intact

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

damn


hopefully no one was hurt, but thats a lot of history gone

 

[Addendum]

I like toasty marshmallows

I'll do better next time

 

[Dangerous]

This is weird, you guys are just getting this news but here in UK it has been on TV all day..

 

[The Original Bamfer]

King Kong is dead?

 

[MattBearPig]

I hope they build a better Kong robot now.

 

[Addendum]

This is weird, you guys are just getting this news but here in UK it has been on TV all day..

The all important Puerto Rico primaries are dominating the news. It's advance warning for the parade

 

[04nbod]

King Kong is dead?

I'm sure weta have him on a hard drive somewhere

 

[Manic]

While reading the article, I wondered if they were talking about Universal in Hollywood, California or in Orlando, Florida. Then it occurred to me "It's a fire. It has to be in California. Half of our state sets fire every year."

And sure enough, the link to the video says it's in LA.

 

[Rocker22]

Here is a live steam:

http://www.knbc.com/videostream/10954229/detail.html

The clock tower was damaged.

 

[Anita18]

It's been all over the local news here. The film vault appears to be safe, and the stuff in the video vault which was burned is replaceable, which is good. Everything else can be rebuilt, but you can't replace archived film.

...Is it bad that I'm more concerned about the air quality? But if not this one, then it'd be another. Something's always on fire in SoCal....

 

[Manic]

I'm reminded of a joke told by a comedian whose name I forget. It goes something like...

California has four seasons, but they're not Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. It's Wind, Fire, Rain, and Mud. First it gets windy and dries everything up. Then some a-hole throws his cigarette out his car window, and lights half the state on fire. The fires don't go out until it starts to rain, which looses up the mud, and half the houses in the state slide downhill.

 

[Spidey-Bat]

The clock tower was damaged.

NO!!!

 

[Addendum]

I'm reminded of a joke told by a comedian whose name I forget. It goes something like...

California has four seasons, but they're not Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. It's Wind, Fire, Rain, and Mud. First it gets windy and dries everything up. Then some a-hole throws his cigarette out his car window, and lights half the state on fire. The fires don't go out until it starts to rain, which looses up the mud, and half the houses in the state slide downhill.

So why can't we say to Mexico "hey, our bad" and give it back to them, so they can deal with the california version of the planeteers, who were wise in giving the kid with the Heart ring the boot

 

[Spidey-Bat]

So why can't we say to Mexico "hey, our bad" and give it back to them, so they can deal with the california version of the planeteers

Give them back Texas instead

 

[Addendum]

But then we'll be stuck with Arizona and New Mexico

 

[SFII]

i've been thru that King Kong tour. there was a lot of fire in that particular attraction. it was a cool thing to see.

also, i wonder what movie they were filming on the lot. they said they have a few ideas, but they won't say what. hmmm... it's probably some big action flick to be released next year. GI Joe, perhaps? Transformers 2?

 

[Darthphere]

Yahoo is saying the Back to the Future set was destroyed.

 

[Manic]

So why can't we say to Mexico "hey, our bad" and give it back to them, so they can deal with the california version of the planeteers, who were wise in giving the kid with the Heart ring the boot

California has heart. It's just all up here in the San Francisco area, where plastic surgery isn't considered a recreational activity.

 

[black_dust]

That studio roof caving in was hella werid

 

[Anita18]

I'm reminded of a joke told by a comedian whose name I forget. It goes something like...

California has four seasons, but they're not Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. It's Wind, Fire, Rain, and Mud. First it gets windy and dries everything up. Then some a-hole throws his cigarette out his car window, and lights half the state on fire. The fires don't go out until it starts to rain, which looses up the mud, and half the houses in the state slide downhill.

I live here and it's too, too true. I love living here for the most part, aside from the expense and what you just described.

So why can't we say to Mexico "hey, our bad" and give it back to them, so they can deal with the california version of the planeteers, who were wise in giving the kid with the Heart ring the boot

NO! The weather is too nice! They can't have it back!

 

[Addendum]

California has heart. It's just all up here in the San Francisco area, where plastic surgery isn't considered a recreational activity.

Because nothing says I love you more than compacted poop

Hallmark™

 

[Anita18]

California has heart. It's just all up here in the San Francisco area, where plastic surgery isn't considered a recreational activity.

My sister LOVES LOVES LOVES San Francisco, but it's still uber-expensive to live there, and everyone's a fitness buff so it can be intimidating.

I think I'd fit in better in SF personality-wise, but I also require sunlight and 70+ degree weather.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

ive heard conflicting reports about the clock tower...